by Carolyn Jensen
God was specific when He commanded Noah to build the ark. Noah was to make the ark of gopher wood, supply it with rooms, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. It was to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall (Gen. 6:14-15). The instructions continued: “You shall make a window [singular] for the ark, and you shall finish it a cubit from above; and set the door [singular] of the ark from the side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks” (Gen. 6:16). In modern times we see so many pictures depicting Noah’s ark with multiple windows. The Word of God says there was only one window and only one door.
The ark was a vessel of salvation for Noah and his family. God’s wrath was being poured out on the entire world. The only air-breathing, land-dwelling creatures (man and animal) that survived the global flood were those inside the ark. The only way into the ark was through this one door. Everything outside the ark perished in the flood.
We know that God’s wrath will again be poured out on the earth one day. Instead of water, God will destroy the earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). The ark of safety for this coming destruction is the Lord’s church. Those who were first baptized into the body (the church) were being added “to their number day by day” (Acts 2:41, 47; 16:5). Those who are in the church (the body of God’s people) will survive the wrath of God’s coming judgment. Those who are outside will perish. “Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body (Eph 5:23; Col 1:18).
Just as there was only one ark in Noah’s day, there is only one body of saved people today. Just as there was only one door to Noah’s ark, there is only one way to enter the church. One must believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3), confess their faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27).
There is no other way into Christ. The false teaching of various religions would claim there are other ways to be saved. One should pay close attention to what Jesus said about the Good Shepherd in the gospel of John. “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door [singular] into the fold of the sheep and climbs up some other way [false teaching], he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door [singular] is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice [obedient to the word], and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow [obey] him because they know his voice [the Word of God]. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers [false teachers]” (John 10:1-11).
God closed the door of the ark in Noah’s day (Gen 7:16). Those who were inside were protected from the outpouring of His wrath. Those who were outside perished. On Judgment Day, God will close the door of His church. God’s longsuffering will come to an end, the gospel invitation will come to an end, the trumpet will sound, and judgment will take place (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Once God closes the door, it will not be reopened (Matt 25:10-13) Why would you wait another moment to be obedient to God’s Word and prepare yourself for eternity!
